The Image of FFXIV

[Jojoya]

Bro, they spent nearly an entire video on creating a character. It's clear that the western division thinks it's playerbase isn't that bright and these videos really do showcase it, lol. If this keeps up I really will be forging ahead, to single player games while doubling down on my feeling that modern online games really were a mistake, lol.

I don't think the point of that was to teach how to create a character. The point was to demonstrate all the options available in character creation.

I don't know what it's like over in WoW now but when I was playing, character creation was pick race, pick face, pick skin tone, pick hair, pick hair color and that's it. Going through every option there would take about 5 minutes Going through every option here is about 20. Huge difference and one that's a way to sell a game to players who value character customization.

He is not the only one that has had their confidence shaken in FFXIV and is considering single player alternatives. The standards I have for this game in terms of story, tone, and aesthetics were not adequately reached in Endwalker, which was very different compared to the reception of Shadowbringers. To that end I am looking forward to Diofield Chronicle, whose demo just released today. FFXIV is now in a position where it now has to compete with other games that are higher in my list of priorities, when there was a time when it took the top spot in terms of video games I play.

In all seriousness, if you're considering single player games go for it. You can always come back to play this game or other MMOs if you get back in the mood for a MMO experience.

A MMO will never offer the same experience you'll get from a single player game. The main attractions to a MMO are the ongoing content additions (single player games might get a couple before the game developer is working on a completely new game) and the social opportunities.

Compare that to single player games where branching story paths are possible because they don't need to keep your experience compatible with other players who choose different paths. Single player RPGs also tend to offer far more exploration opportunities because the player isn't under pressure to keep up with other players. They can do whatever they want and no one is going to care. With the entire game being installed client side, developers have more freedom because they don't have to worry about server communications causing latency problems.

Single player games also have no problem creating story situations that will legitimately kill your character. In a MMO, your character will always have plot armor.

[TaleraRistain]

I'm doing a little "virtual movie party" online with some friends soon where we're gonna watch Uncharted, so when I read this I thought "Oooh, Tom Holland was in an FFXIV ad!? I gotta link this in my Discord group!" Then I watched it. No. No, I can't link that. I have to make sure NO ONE I know ever sees this. Yikes.

You might want to rethink movie night then.

FFXIV is now in a position where it now has to compete with other games that are higher in my list of priorities, when there was a time when it took the top spot in terms of video games I play.

That's not bad, though! It's healthy to have other interests. I'm still super into this game but I had a few days at one point where I couldn't post here while I was playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla because I didn't log in for like two weeks. I was just more interested in something else in that time. I did it again earlier this year with SoP though I had learned my lesson about making sure I at least logged in. A lot of people go off to play something else when the new hotness comes out and then come back to XIV when they feel like it.

[Iscah]

To be fair, the Promotional Trailer had a Deathflag at the end with Alphi giving a speech to his Friends
If there was any time to think a Scion WOULD have died, it was then. There was no hint or idea that anyone WOULD die, except for Alphi at the end of the final Trailer.

I wont advocate for his death or say he should have died, but that did give the idea he would possibly die.

I don't think "death flag in a trailer" is anything worth going on. I never trust a trailer and avoid watching them exactly because they tend to set up "fake foreshadowing" that isn't there in the actual narrative of the story.

[Amenara]

Well I skipped most of the thread when it became a back and forth, but I felt like the videos were a little cringe but they weren't made for me. That being said when I got to the end my final impression was the whole thing was a long-winded advertisement for recruit a friend.

[Lauront]

As has been pointed out over the numerous past occasions where the 'tHiS iS nOt GaMe Of ThRoNeS' line has been spouted, many of us aren't asking for mass death for the sake of mass death and are instead asking for death to occur where and when it makes sense. Cladding the bulk of the cast in extensive plot armour simply sends things in the opposite direction.

I would humbly suggest bookmarking this post if you're able to. It might help refresh your memory next time this same point is raised.

Dark Souls difficulty and GOT level of deaths in the story. This community's two most beloved strawmen.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

Dark Souls difficulty and GOT level of deaths in the story. This community's two most beloved strawmen.

I suck at action games and I've beaten every souls game except bloodborne.

Souls games aren't hard.

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

I don't think "death flag in a trailer" is anything worth going on. I never trust a trailer and avoid watching them exactly because they tend to set up "fake foreshadowing" that isn't there in the actual narrative of the story.

Going off of FFXIVs history, sure, agreed. But its sort of a trope that you see in shows where they give a "hint" that a character might meet their demise.
So with the setup, OMG IS HE GONNA DIE
Probly not, (laughs in Y'Shtola) but its still the fact they set it up that way in the final trailer

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

I suck at action games and I've beaten every souls game except bloodborne.

Souls games aren't hard.

That depends on a number of factors.
I think they are hard, but I think its because they are intentionally designed like garbage, but weirdly it makes it engaging.

You didnt beat Bllodbourne?! Best game. :3
Took 200hrs but I just beat Elden Ring.

[Deveryn]

Dark Souls difficulty and GOT level of deaths in the story. This community's two most beloved strawmen.

Should people be making more obscure references?

[Lauront]

Should people be making more obscure references?

When building up their strawmen? You tell me.